Nigeria’s rejection of a request from the United States to accommodate asylum seekers is one of the factors contributing to the recent visa restrictions placed on the country by President Donald Trump, TheCable has learned.

According to TheCable’s findings, this issue is part of a broader set of demands being pushed by the Trump administration, which are still under negotiation.

Diplomatic sources revealed that the US president has been pressuring multiple nations to serve as temporary hosts for asylum seekers while their applications are processed, a process that can take up to seven years.

While a number of countries have agreed to the arrangement, Nigeria has declined to participate.

Trump’s negotiation style often involves imposing significant penalties on the other party to gain leverage, a method he has used consistently in trade disputes with various nations.

VISA RELATIONS BETWEEN BOTH COUNTRIES

The US embassy announced on Tuesday a new restriction reducing the validity and entry allowances for “most” non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians. These new rules limit visas to a single entry and a three-month stay.

Social media commentary suggested an imbalance in visa reciprocity as the reason behind the policy shift, but exact details were not disclosed by US authorities.

The move surprised many Nigerians. Initial claims that Nigeria had stopped issuing five-year visas to Americans—supposedly triggering the new US policy—were later proven false.

Nigerian visas issued by the embassy still range from three months to five years in validity, and can be single or multiple entry depending on the category.

Nigeria launched an e-visa system on March 1 to make applications easier and remove the need for in-person embassy visits or the unreliable visa-on-arrival process.

The e-visa is valid for 90 days from issue and allows for a single entry and a maximum stay of 30 days.

These new procedures are not limited to US citizens but apply to all non-ECOWAS nationals requiring a visa to enter Nigeria.

Despite the reciprocity agreement, the US does not offer a comparable visa category to Nigerian applicants.

Diplomatic insiders said the actual disagreement goes beyond the issue of visa parity.

FAILED DEAL TO SEND ASYLUM SEEKERS

Since January, Trump has signed several executive orders aimed at deporting millions of undocumented immigrants, many of whom are asylum seekers.

The US has also asked third countries to accept deportees who are not their nationals, a move that human rights advocates have widely criticised.

Central American nations like El Salvador and Panama, and African countries including Libya, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Djibouti, were among those considered for this role.

Some of these countries have already accepted a number of deportees.

On June 9, the US supreme court authorized the deportation of migrants to third countries—even those in conflict—rather than returning them to their countries of origin.

TheCable learned that Nigeria was among the nations approached by the US for this arrangement.

While the full terms of the proposal remain undisclosed, diplomatic sources confirmed discussions occurred but fell through due to Nigeria’s reluctance to accept non-citizens, many of whom still had pending asylum claims.

A significant portion of these individuals are also believed to be convicted criminals.

This proposal closely resembles the UK-Rwanda asylum deal, which has faced both legal and political hurdles and remains largely unimplemented.

Under that deal, the UK agreed to provide economic support to Rwanda and additional funds to cover the cost of processing and hosting deported migrants.

So far, the UK government has paid Rwanda £220 million as part of the plan.

However, new Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently declared the scheme “dead and buried.”

MORE DEMANDS

TheCable also learned that the US requested permission for its citizens to apply online for Nigeria’s five-year visa without needing to visit an embassy.

However, sources familiar with the talks said Nigeria declined due to concerns about a lack of reciprocity, noting that Nigerians do not receive similar treatment from the US.

In its Tuesday visa update, the US embassy stated that Nigeria must meet specific criteria to improve its visa reciprocity standing.

These include issuing secure travel documents with verified identities, managing visa overstays effectively, and sharing relevant criminal and security records with US authorities.

TheCable understands that one of the US demands is access to Nigeria’s criminal database, which would help identify Nigerians living in the US with previous criminal records for possible deportation.

‘THE ART OF THE DEAL’

Since returning to the White House, Trump has been applying principles from his book ‘The Art of the Deal’ to international relations, especially on issues related to tariffs and immigration.

His approach—marked by aggressive posturing, risky tactics, and a readiness to abandon negotiations—has shaped US policies on trade and immigration.

On tariffs, he has frequently introduced heavy levies on partner nations, only to offer temporary relief as a bargaining chip for new agreements.

Nigeria’s recent involvement with BRICS, an economic bloc often criticised by Trump, has not helped relations between the two countries.

On Wednesday, Nigeria was notably absent from a meeting Trump held at the White House with several African leaders to discuss economic cooperation.

In response to the US visa restrictions, Nigeria said the decision does not align with the values of “reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect” that should guide international partnerships.

Nigeria called on the US to reconsider its stance in the interest of global cooperation and shared responsibilities.

Nigeria won’t yield to pressure from the Donald Trump administration to accept Venezuelan deportees from the United States, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar.

Speaking on Channels Television’s programme “Politics Today” on Thursday, Tuggar stated that Nigeria faces numerous internal challenges and will not serve as a dumping ground for Venezuelan inmates deported from the US amid Trump’s immigration crackdown.

President Bola Tinubu recently participated in the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6 to 7, 2025.

At the close of the summit, which gathered the 11-member economic and political bloc with growing Chinese influence, US President Donald Trump announced a plan to impose an additional “10 percent trade tariff” on BRICS nations, including China, India, and Nigeria.

Tuggar noted that the tariff threat might not necessarily be tied to Nigeria’s attendance at the BRICS meeting.

He said, “The issue of tariffs may not necessarily have to do with us participating in the BRICS meeting.

“You have to also bear in mind that the US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the US, some straight out of prisons.

“It would be difficult for countries like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria. We have enough problems of our own; we cannot accept Venezuelan deportees to Nigeria. We already have 230 million people.”

The minister added that the Tinubu-led government had begun discussions with the US regarding the newly imposed visa restrictions on Nigerian nationals. He also described the recent visa limitations on Nigerians by the United Arab Emirates as unfortunate.

Nigeria accepted an invitation to become a partner country in BRICS+ in January 2025.

BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was established in 2006 to unite the world’s largest developing economies in a challenge to the political and economic dominance of Western countries.

BRICS+, the expanded group, now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

The bloc represents roughly 37% of global GDP and nearly half of the world’s population, contributing about 40 percent of total global economic output.

UK-based bilingual Nollywood actor, MC, and filmmaker, Dapo Opayinka, speaks on his journey from theatre to the big screen, building bridges through storytelling, and what’s next for African narratives in global cinema.

Dapo, you’ve had quite a journey from theatre to film, from Nigeria to the UK. Let’s start with how it all began. What drew you into acting?

Dapo: (Smiling) Ah, where do I start? I think storytelling has always lived inside me. I was that kid who would mimic characters from films or make up my own scenes with cousins during family gatherings. But professionally, it really kicked off at the London Drama School. That place sharpened me. The stage gave me discipline, and theatre? It gave me soul.

Your roles span Yoruba tragedies, British-Nigerian productions, and Nollywood cinema. How do you navigate these different worlds?

Dapo: Honestly, I don’t separate them. They’re all part of me. Being bilingual and bicultural isn’t a balancing act; it’s more like a fusion. Whether I’m Mallam Gaskiya in Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again or Gbonka in The Gods Are Not to Blame, I bring a bit of both worlds to every character. That’s the magic.

One of your standout performances was as Etieno, a Kenyan freedom fighter. What did that role mean to you?

Dapo: That one was special. Etieno wasn’t just a character; he was a symbol. Playing him in Darkest Hour to Victory pushed me emotionally. I had to tap into the spirit of resilience, of struggle; and the African story of fighting for dignity. That role reminded me why I act.

You’ve made quite the transition into Nollywood with titles like Basira in London and Sista Sista. What’s that experience been like?

Dapo: Oh, Nollywood! It’s a whirlwind; but in the best way. It’s vibrant, demanding, and beautiful. Basira in London was hilarious to shoot. And Sista Sista… that one connected deeply with diaspora realities. However, the first movie I ever acted in was Captivated by Toyin Moore. Nollywood is evolving, and I’m grateful to be part of the shift that bridges tradition with modern diaspora stories.

Interviewer: And you’re not just acting; you’re producing also?

Dapo: Yep! I’ve produced four indie films; The Actor, The Passport, Amuwa, and Apeje. Each one is a passion project. They’re stories that reflect our struggles, humour, love… all in our voice. I’m now working on The Telepath, and it’s shaping up to be my boldest yet. Let’s just say… I’m going sci-fi with an African twist.

Ireke was privately screened at Cannes recently. Tell us about that.

Dapo: That was surreal. Cannes is every filmmaker’s dream, and to have Ireke: Rise of The Maroons shown there; even privately, was humbling. It’s a love letter to heritage and identity. The film is a historical drama blended with romance, and it tells a powerful and thought-provoking story about ancestral resistance.

Set in the Bight of Benin and Colonial Jamaica in the 17th century, it follows the uprising of African captives who were unjustly enslaved and forced into brutal labour. But they fought back. The film connects West African cultural roots—like Igbo camouflage and Yoruba resilience—with the legacy of the Maroons in Jamaica. Even Queen Nanny’s origins spark that playful Nigeria-Ghana rivalry!

We’re releasing nationwide in the UK and Nigeria on 25th July, and I honestly can’t wait for audiences to experience it. It’s raw, it’s emotional, and despite the tight budget, it’s a cinematic journey that celebrates the resilience of our people and the bond between Africa and the Caribbean. It’s what African cinema should be—global, grounded, and unapologetically ours.

You’ve also built a name as a charismatic MC. How did that side of you emerge?

Dapo: (Laughs) That came naturally. I love people. I love culture. Being an MC at diasporic events allows me to celebrate us—our weddings, festivals, even protests. It’s about connection. Plus, Yoruba proverbs? Always a hit!

What’s your ultimate goal as an actor?

Dapo: I want to tell our authentic story and promote the richness of our culture. I believe our stories; if told well, are universal. My goal is to connect the African experience with real human emotions that cross language, border, and race. Simple.

You once said, “Our stories deserve the world stage.” How close are we to that reality?

Dapo: We’re closer than we think. Platforms are opening up. Audiences are curious. What we need now is to keep telling the truth—our truth—with quality and pride. The world is watching. It’s our time.

Dapo, thank you. It’s been a pleasure.

Dapo: Thank you! And to every young creative out there: keep pushing. Your voice matters.